Propecia
® (
finasteride) is a prescription medicine that has been licensed for the treatment of male pattern baldness (known medically as androgenetic alopecia).
Propecia is manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc.
Propecia works by blocking the conversion of testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which decreases the amount of DHT in the body. Since DHT is important for male pattern baldness, using Propecia to decrease DHT levels can help to stop hair loss and regrow hair.
The medicine works for male pattern baldness with hair loss on the top and front of the head. It has not been shown to be effective for a receding hairline near the temples. It is also not licensed to treat hair loss in women or children.
It is not a hair loss cure. Hair loss typically returns within a year of stopping the medication.
There have been several studies looking at how well Propecia treats male pattern baldness.
Male Pattern Baldness
One study was conducted on the use of Propecia for vertex male pattern baldness (hair loss as the very top of the head) in men. At first, the men who took it had new hair growth, while the men who did not take it continued to lose hair. After about a year, the increase in new hair growth stopped for the men taking the drug, and these men started to slowly lose their hair again. However, the hair loss was much slower for the men taking it than for the men who were not taking it.
After five years of taking it, 48 percent of men had increased hair growth, 42 percent had no change (the hair loss had stopped), and 10 percent had lost hair. For the men who were not taking it, 75 percent had lost hair after five years.
In a study looking at Propecia for male hair loss treatment near the front of the head (in the center), it was effective in increasing hair growth. This study did not include men with hair loss near the temples.
Female Hair Loss
Another small study was conducted on the use of the medication for postmenopausal women with female pattern baldness. This study did not show a difference for the women who took it. This could mean that Propecia is not effective for female hair loss, or it could mean that the study did not include enough women to be able to notice a difference.
When and How to Take Propecia
Some general considerations for when and how to take it include:
- Propecia comes in tablet form. It is taken by mouth once daily.
- It may take as long as three months of taking it before results can be seen.
- It can be taken with or without food.
- The medication should be taken at the same time each day to maintain an even level of the drug in your blood.
- For it to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It will not work if you stop taking it. Hair loss typically returns within one year of discontinuing the drug.
There is only one dose of Propecia for male pattern baldness: Propecia 1 mg once daily.
As with any medication, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects. However, not everyone who takes the medicine will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it well. When side effects do occur, they are often minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
The most common side effects of Propecia include:
(Click Propecia Side Effects to learn about the specific side effects, including serious side effects to look out for.)
You can also read about other possible side effects by clicking on the following eMedTV links:
Drug Interactions With Propecia
There are no known drug interaction with Propecia.
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider before taking Propecia if you have:
- Liver disease or liver failure, including cirrhosis
- Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:
Tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you may currently be taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
In studies, large doses of Propecia did not cause any overdose symptoms.
If you happen to overdose, or if you are a pregnant woman who has taken it, seek medical attention immediately.
It should be stored at room temperature away from moisture or heat. Propecia tablets should be kept in an airtight container. Because the drug is so dangerous for pregnant women, women should not touch broken or crushed Propecia tablets if they are pregnant or may be pregnant.
Keep this medication and all other medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your Propecia as scheduled, take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
Propecia tablets are available in one strength -- Propecia 1 mg tablets.
Proscar®, a medication used for treating an
enlarged prostate (also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or
BPH), contains the same active ingredient as Propecia --
finasteride. However, Proscar is available only in 5 mg tablets, which is not the correct dose for treating baldness.
There is currently no over-the-counter Propecia available.
Generic Propecia is currently licensed for sale but is not yet available in pharmacies.
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